Best Cat Automatic Feeders 2018: Rely on Cat Care Professionals

Nowadays, the pet supplies market is packed with all sorts of stuff for cats. Truly saying, many of these accessories are unnecessary, and serve just as nice tricks for a pet owner’s enjoyment. However, an automatic feeder for cat is a really cool invention and a must-have for any owner of one or several fuzzy creatures.

Why Do You Need a Cat Feeder?

There are several reasons why you need to buy this smart device for your kitty. First and foremost, it is convenient. Just imagine that you don’t have to get up at 7 a.m. on Sunday and feed your feline. Instead, it is done automatically, and you can sleep till noon. Further, it helps your cat to keep to a diet. No malnutrition and no overeating: it gets the proper amount of food in the specified time, even when you are at work. This is particularly significant for cats with health issues. Finally, it lets you leave your home for several days without fear. Just load a feeder with food, and fill a drinking fountain with water. Your cat won’t starve to death even if you are away for a week.

If you’ve made up your mind to buying the best automatic cat feeder, you’ve probably faced the problem of choice. With so many models on sale and so many automatic cat feeder reviews, it’s easy to get lost in the assortment. That is why it’s important to understand what type of a feeder you need.

Types of Automatic Cat Feeders

There are a lot of kinds of cat feeders. They are categorized based on the type of food, capacity, type of a dispenser and other criteria. In particular, an automatic feeder can be:

for dry, wet, or mixed food;

with a continuous, or scheduled food dispensing;

for one, two, or more cats;

with a timer (digital or mechanical), or without it;

large, medium, or small;

with a batcher, or without it;

outdoor automatic cat feeder models and feeders for using at home;

electrical, battery-powered, or non-powered.

As you see, it’s quite a challenge to choose the best cat automatic feeder. Our comprehensive cat feeder automatic review based on real-life testing and expert opinion will help you to make a wise choice. All you need to is to decide what features you really need.

5. Dog’s food is inappropriate for cats because their requirement of proteins is completely different.

How the Best Automatic Cat Feeders were Chosen: Analysis + Real-Life Testing

Our automatic cat feeder review covers seven models that have been considered to be the best based on several criteria. We tried to be as impartial as possible when compiling our ranking. First of all, we compared their specifications – the results are presented below, in the form of a comparative chart. Next, we analyzed tons of real customers’ reviews and tried to single out pros and cons of every model. Finally, we tested samples of the chosen feeders in real-life conditions in order to make sure each of them really deserves the title of the winner.

The Best Automatic Cat Feeder Models: Our Choice

The best automatic cat feeder review presented is a list of top-7 models that are currently on sale. All of them have a lot of positive reviews of real customers. Read and choose the feeder that suits you best.

Feed and Go Smart Pet Feeder 2018 Model

Review

Feed & Go is a smart electric automatic cat feeder, which is a great solution for those who often stay away all day long. This is a universal device compatible with both dry and wet food. It has six individual compartments, each comprising one 8-oz bowl of food. The feeder features a built-in webcam and can be controlled remotely via a smartphone.

What we think

It is a shining example of a smart solution. In our opinion, this is how a modern appliance must look. We love the fact that the feeder is fully adjustable and can be used for dispensing all types of food and treats in the stipulated time. It’s a pity that there’s no option of a refrigerator.

PROS

adjustable food dispensing timing;

a webcam for a remote monitoring;

different types of food;

iOS- and Android-compatible.

CONS

no built-in refrigerator;

isn’t refilled automatically;

the maximum number of portions is six.

BUY NOW AMAZON

PetSafe Healthy Pet Simply Feed Automatic Feeder

Review

This is a large automatic cat feeder with a perfect adjustability. Thanks to its flexible settings, one can choose a size of one portion, the number of portions per day (up to 12) and the mode of food dispensing. The feeder can be loaded with dry or semi-moist food. A stainless steel bowl is easy to clean and absolutely safe for pets.

What we think

The main thing you need to do after the feeder unboxing is to read the manual and adjust the device correctly to make sure it functions exactly as it should. The process of adjusting is a bit complicated – don’t rely on your intuition. When set properly, the feeder is great, and its stainless steel bowl is beyond the praise.

PROS

fully programmable;

3 modes of food dispensing: immediate, slow, and pause;

can hold up to 24 bowls of food;

high-quality materials;

can work on batteries, and mains power supplies.

CONS

no remote control feature;

no camera;

no batteries included.

BUY NOW AMAZON

Vanness AF3 3-Pound Auto Feeder

Review

This is a cheap automatic cat feeder, which is easy to use and easy to clean. It has a very simple construction: dry food is loaded into the container, from where it is gradually dispensed to a bowl, coming through a narrow hole in the bottom of the container. Vanness AF3 is a low-budget feeder that helps to be sure that pets are not starving when left alone.

What we think

It is a decent entry-level option. Unfortunately, it is not completely cat-proof – some cats manage to get into the container and eat unstintingly. The opening of the dispenser could be narrower.

PROS

very affordable;

very easy to assemble, refill and clean;

can be washed in a dishwasher;

quite a large capacity;

non-toxic materials.

CONS

Review

This timed automatic cat feeder offers plenty of flexibility. It allows dividing the daily volume of food into 6 portions that are dispensed in the specified time periods. The size of one portion can vary from 1/32 to 4 cups.

What we think

It is a godsend for those whose pets need a special diet that involves splitting the daily amount of food into smaller portions throughout a day. The feeder features a large container and is fully adjustable, which gives a lot of freedom in setting up the feeding schedule.

PROS

good adjustability;

a voice recorder with a speaker;

a large container;

for cats and dogs.

CONS

batteries not included;

dry food only.

BUY NOW AMAZON

Bergan Gourmet

Review

This is a simple but very nice feeder for dry food dispensing. Its transparent container lets monitor the amount of food in stock and is easy to disassemble and clean. The bowl is made of BPA-free plastic.

What we think

It is sturdier that it can seem: the plastic bowl is well-made, odor-free, and easy to clean. Keep in mind that if your cat is prone to overeating, you’d better buy a feeder with a possibility of regulating the portion size.

PROS

affordable and easy to use;

high-grade BPA-free plastic;

a transparent bowl lets monitor the amount of food;

a big 6 lbs container.

CONS

the portion size is not regulated;

for dry food only;

no timer.

BUY NOW AMAZON

PetSafe 5-Meal Automatic Dog and Cat Feeder

Review

This is popular and convenient digital automatic cat feeder with a built-in timer. It features a rotating plate with five compartments, each containing one cup of food. It is indispensable in situations when you are out of home all day long and still want your pets to get food in small portions throughout the day.

What we think

It is surprisingly inexpensive for such a smart, flexible, and convenient device. Perfect for the cats with digestion issues, excessive body weight, obesity, and those prone to overeating. The feeder is compact, lightweight, and stylish.

PROS

a digital timer allows to set the desired time intervals between the portions;

can be washed in a dishwasher;

high-grade non-toxic materials;

prevents overeating.

CONS

batteries are difficult to replace;

no remote control.

BUY NOW AMAZON

Arf Pets Automatic Pet Feeder Food Dispenser for Dogs &amp; Cats

Review

This is another best-rated automatic cat feeder that is fully customizable. Choose the
portion size and the number of portions per day, set up a timer and record your own voice
calling the pet. The feeder has a sleek design and will fit perfectly in any environment.

What we think

It is expensive but we believe it is worthy of its price. The machine has a capacious, easy-
to-refill reservoir, a lot of smart settings for optimizing the feeding process, and a feature of
voice recording. The only small downside is a plastic bowl – we’d prefer to see a stainless
steel one here.

PROS

an opportunity of varying the portion size;

a large easy-to-refill container;

great adjustability;

perfect for pets with special dietary needs.

CONS

the bowl is plastic, not stainless steel;

no remote control.

BUY NOW AMAZON

WESTLINK 6L Automatic Pet Feeder

Review

This is an automatic cat feeder with a capacious reservoir of 6 L intended for the scheduled dry food dispersion. It is fully adjustable. You can choose the number of portions per meal and the number of meals per day (up to 4) on a simple control panel with a digital monitor. The machine has a feature of voice recording – you can use it to call your pet to have a meal. An infrared sensor detects whether there is food left in the bowl to prevent oversupply.

What we think

We liked the feeder’s sleek design, convenient control panel, and a large food container. We are not crazy about its build quality (it is plastic, though sturdy enough). In general, it is a good value for money.

PROS

a good capacity;

voice recording;

easy adjusting;

flexible settings.

CONS

it is all-plastic;

dry food only.

BUY NOW AMAZON

SureFeed Microchip Pet Feeder

Review

This smart feeder was developed for those who need to differentiate the feeding of two or more cats. The reasons for this are numerous. For example, one of your pets has special nutrition needs, or it is sick, or shy, or simply a slow-eater – thanks to the innovative microchip device, you’ll be able to feed it separately. It’s mechanism of action is the following: a microchip built in the lid reads the pet’s ID from a tag attached to the collar, and the lid is opened. If the wrong cat comes closer, the lid stays closed.

What we think

The idea itself is brilliant. But one should not underestimate cats’ dexterity: if a stronger cat really wants to hack the system, it can shove along to the feeder simultaneously with the “right” cat and steal the food. Everything depends on a particular cat’s behavior.

PROS

perfect for pets with special nutrition needs;

recognizes most of the existing pet chips;

fully programmable;

the lid preserves food and protects it from dirt and flies.

CONS

the capacity is small;

not completely hack-proof.

BUY NOW AMAZON

Super Feeder Automatic Cat Feeder, CSF-3

Review

This is a large and versatile cat feeder that allows hassle-free adjusting of the daily amount of food and the regularity of feeding. It is great for splitting the meals into small portions. The machine is easy to set up and use, and can be upgraded with multiple optional extensions.

What we think

Super Feeder is one of the oldest feeder brands in America – reputable and reliable. The machine is well-made, convenient, and versatile but expensive. That said, there are really few complaints about its quality.

PROS

compatible with multiple extensions;

allows precise adjustment;

a well-recognized brand;

very easy to use.

CONS

expensive;

all-plastic.

BUY NOW AMAZON

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How to set an automatic cat feeder?

A: The best approach is to read the manual – different feeders differ in terms of their features and settings available. Most automatic models allow setting of several parameters. Commonly, you can choose the number of meals per day, the intervals between the meals, and the amount of food in every portion.

Q: How does an automatic cat feeder work?

A: Automatic cat feeders can differ in terms of their mechanism of action, but many of them have a similar construction. Usually, this is a large container that is filled with dry food. On the bottom of this container, there is an opening, through which the food is supplied to the bowl. A feeder for wet food looks differently. This is a rotating round bowl with 5 or 6 separate compartments. The compartments are opened one by one in preset time intervals.

Q: Can I use canned cat food in an automatic cat feeder?

A: Yes, some feeders can be used for dispensing canned food. But you need to keep in mind that wet canned food has a very limited storage life. If you are going to be away all day long, you’d better use a feeder with a built-in refrigerator feature.

Q: How much should a cat eat per day?

A: It depends on the cat’s age, size, its state of health, lifestyle, and the type of food. Normally, vets recommend from 25 to 35 calories per one pound of body weight per day. Thus, a 10-pound cat needs 280-300 calories per day, which is equal to approximately one cup of high-quality commercial dry food.

How to Maintain Automatic Cat Feeders

A cat feeder is a device that usually doesn’t require any special maintenance. And still, it is necessary to keep it clean and tidy and use according to its intended purpose only. A feeder must be supplied with an automatic cat feeder manual where you can find all the necessary information.

Keep in mind that if you load in your automatic cat feeder wet food, you need to wash it more frequently; ideally – after every use. If you load in your automatic cat feeder dry food only, wash it when needed. Some models can be washed in dishwashers.

Cat Feeding Guide: Basic Tips for a Cat Feeder Buyer

Historically, felines are flesh-eaters, and their main food is raw meat. However, as of today, few domestic cats are fed with pure raw meat, not to mention live preys. If a cat is on homemade food, it’s very important to include all the necessary components in its everyday diet, and find an ideal balance of macro- and micronutrients. It’s not an easy affair, and more and more cat owners worldwide opt for commercial cat food that can be dry or wet.

Dry or Wet?

Dry food is easy to use in feeders – you can use it even in 7 day cat feeder automatic models because it has an extended storage period. It is a convenient and practical option, but vets recommend to be cautious about it. If your cat is young and healthy, you may feed it with dry food solely. But if it is of senior age or has any health issues, chances are it needs some wet food as well. Fortunately, today it is not a problem even if you often stay out of home, as there are special feeders. In such an automatic cat feeder wet food refrigerated can be stored like in the fridge and dispensed in specified time periods.

Prevent Overeating!

Many cats have no sense of proportion – they eat till they have food in their bowl. Meanwhile, overeating for a cat is even worse than malnutrition. Overweight cats have numerous health issues, and their life expectancy is shorter. It can be difficult to control the size of every food portion for your kitty, so an automatic cat feeder timer is the best way out.

Choose an Optimal Frequency

Cat owners often wonder how often they need to feed their pets. Essentially, a healthy cat can be fed 2-3 times a day. But if your feline is prone to overeating, or has digestive problems, it makes sense to practice split meals. It works like with humans. A small automatic cat feeder is a good helper in such cases.

Verdict and Recommendations

If you are looking for the best automatic wet food cat feeder, consider Feed and Go Smart Pet Feeder. It is a gorgeous automatic cat feeder with camera that can be controlled remotely via a mobile device. Though it is not the cheapest model, it is a good value for money.

If you need a low-budget option, have closer look at the Vanness AF3 feeder. It is really affordable while being easy to use and quite sturdy. Finally, if you are in search of the most flexible device, opt for the Arf Pets Automatic, which offers the maximum adjustability. Our top pick is PetSafe 5-Meal Automatic Dog and Cat Feeder